Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II

abstract

ABSPII is a USAID-funded consortium of public and private sector institutions that supports scientists, regulators, extension workers, farmers and the general public in developing countries to make informed decisions about agricultural biotechnology. Where demand exists, ABSPII focuses on the safe and effective development and commercialization of bio-engineered crops as a complement to traditional and organic agricultural approaches. The project helps boost food security, economic growth, nutrition and environmental quality in East and West Africa, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh and the Philippines. The consortium develops innovative, pragmatic solutions to improve agriculture in the developing world.

submitted by

Shotkoski, Frank A. | Director, ABSPII

issue being addressed

To introduce the benefits of agriculture biotechnology to those who need it most, the poor and disadvantaged farmers of the developing world. This program is needed because the industries that develop this technology for commercial purposes cannot justify expansion into the most needy farm populations in the developing world because there is not a favorable return on investment. The people who are introducing the benefits of argicultural biotech include scientists, regulators, extension workers, farmers and the general public in developing countries.

response

Please see the attached web site for a complete discription of what has been accomplished to date (http://www.absp2.cornell.edu/).

impact assessment

Several of our agricultural biotechnology products (Bt eggplant, papaya ringspot virus resistant papaya, multi-virus resistant tomato, black sigatoka and nematode resistant bananas) are being tested in field trials for eventual commercial release. Ex-ante socio-economic impact assessments indicate significant economic, social and health benefit will likely be derived from the deployment of these technologies, particularly in developing countries.

academic priority area

Applied Social Sciences | CALS academic priority

topic description

Agricultural Biotechnology

has geographic focus

Togo | country
Uganda | country
India | country
Indonesia | country
Benin | country
Bangladesh | country
Mali | country
Ghana | country
Senegal | country
Philippines | country
Burkina Faso | country
Niger | country
Washington D.C. | federal district
Washington | state
Wisconsin | state
California | state

funding source description

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

collaborators

AVRDC
Institute for Rural Development
University of the Philippines
Virginia Tech
University of California - Davis
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Sathguru Management Consultants
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
Catholic University Leuven
National Agricultural Research Organization

key personnel

Tina Henry
Miguelina Tabar
Ronnie Coffman
KV Raman
Andrea Besley

mission focus

research | project type